Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-08-25
PIETY WITHOUT DISPLAY.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
S. MARTHUR, D. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
S. M'ARTHUR, D. o.
Lesson TX of the International Series
Third Quarter) for Sunday, Aug. 2s.
Text of the Lesson, Matt. vi, 1-I5.
Golden Text, Samuel xvi, IL.
V. l. This verse is a statement of the gen.
eral principle which is illustrated in what
follows The Revised Version has properly
introduced the word Righteousness" instead
Of "alms." The best critics are agreed in this
change. Righteousness here is not the right
eousness Of Christ; it means rectitade, right
doing, conformity to the will of God.
VS.. "a. Here we have the first llustra-
ton Of the application of the principle to
aims giving. The change from the plural ye
to the singular thou individualizes the
thought Not sound a trumpet-It is sup
posed that it was the custom of the Pharisees
literally to sound a trumpet and so call to-
gether the poor; others think the reference is
to the trumpet shaped money boxes and the
shaking of the coin as it fell into them But
all these suggestions are far fetched Hypo-
crites.-The word originally meant those who
wore a mask and performed a part This is
is the classical usage. As the composition Of
the word suggests, they were dissemblers In
the synagogues.-Here religious assemblies
were held at which offerings were made In the
streets.-Where beggars gathered and where
gifts were bestowed. Have their reward
OF course they have. Men generally get
what they seek. Literally, this is their full
reward.
" 8 Left hand.-This doubtless was q
proverb. The privacy was to be 50 great that
one member Of the body was not to know
what another member did. This is as il the
right hand slipped out its gift so quietly and
quickly that the left hand was ignorant Of
the act
V. l. This verse indicates the true method;
1t gives the positive direction. In secret-in
q secret place. God will see. Thy Father
The individuality of the deed is still sug-
gested by the statement regarding the re-
ward.
vs. 5-15. We now have the second illustra-
ton of the application of the general prin-
ciple of doing good without ostentation. This
is in regard to private prayer. The remarks
made are not to be applied to common prayer
or public worship.
VS. Hypocrites pray to be seen of men,
but when ye pray there is to be another mo
tive. DR.. Broadus calls attention to the fact
that throughout this passage the plural is
used in general injunctions and the singular
in pointed applications. No criticism is here
made on the standing posture in prayer It
is ostentation which is condemned. The cor
ners of the streets-The crowded thorough
fares, the broadways, this is the idea, were
admirable places for such ostentatious dis
play.
Y. g. Now comes tine positive side of the
teaching, the pointing out of the true method.
Thou.-The singular form for the sake of
pointed personal application Closet.-Liter-
ally, storeroom and so place Of privacy; an
innermost apartment In the Revised Version
it is rendered sinner chamber" sometimes the
upper chamber (Actsi, 13; il, 37;0, 8. By thy
closet may be meant place under ones own
control. No Christian can be strong among
men except he be often alone with God. Shut
thy door-Not only must the door be closed,
but, as Is implied, fastened; this suggests the
greatest privacy. No rebuke is intended for
family, social or more public prayer. Every
mans own heart may be his closet. Openly
is to be omitted.
VS. 7-s Ye.-Our Lord now comes to speak
of prayer in its varied relations in life, and 50
uses the plural. Prayer is liable to other
dangers than ostentatious display; another
fault in prayer is vain repetition. One prac-
tice has been condemned-the pharisaical
practice; the other is the heather practice
which is to be condemned. Vain repeti-
tions.-The word 80 translated occurs nowhere
else In the New Testament. Some have
thought that it is derived from the name
Battus, Cyrsnian king mentioned by Herod-
otus, who was noted for his stammering;
others derive it from poet of that name
whose poetical effusions abounded in repeti-
tions.
We Now we come to the model prayer;
this Is its true name. The true Lords
Prayer, our Lords intercessory prayer, is
found in John, 18th chapter. The prayer
here is rather the disciples prayer, although
the common name is found as early as A. d.
$50 For simplicity, comprehensiveness and
spirituality, this prayer must ever be .
model There is nothing said of the media
torial work Of Christ, no asking in his name,
but these elements could not be present at
this stage in his life and teaching. The
prayer is adapted to the time when it was ut
tered. It Is not given as q form to be al
ways and necessarily used; it Is to serve as a
specimen Of acceptable prayer. In Luke we
have it with important variations, showing
that It was not intended ss an invariable form.
So far as we know Christ did not himself
use this form, neither did the apostles The
prayer falls into two divisions Of three petit
tions each. The first class Of petitions-like
the first table OF the law-refers to God and
our relations to him. The second-like the
second table Of the law-to ourselves and our
relations to one another. We are to pray for
Gods glory before we pray for our own
bread. Our Father.-The plural is used
throughout the prayer, because the prayer is
social rather than secret. God is our Father
by creation, preservation, and especially so
by adoption. Our shows the brotherhood of
man, as well as the fatherhood Of God. In
heaven.-More accurately, in the heavens
This is Hebrew usage very common in the
New Testament. Hallowed.-This is an
Anglo-Saxon word often used in translating
the Old Testament but only here and in
Luke Ii, g, in the New Testament 1t is
prayer that Gods name may be regarded and
treated as sacred. sanctified and reFered alike
by our works, words and thoughts.
V. TO- Thy kingdom come.-God's kingdom
Is his reign; the administration of Jesus
Christ To, offer this petition Alright is TO
labor and to give for the spread Of the Gospel,
for this conversion Of the world. Thy will
This includes all which God purposes and
commands Strictly, @be done" means To
some to pass. The order in the Revised Ver-
sion is worthy Of notice. sAs in heaven, so
on earth" That Is, as fully, joyously and
universally as it is done by angels. Bengal
notes that in the first three petitions we have
thy, thy, thy, and in the others US, US, US.
v. II. Daily bread.-With this verse the
second division Of the prayer begins, and
petitions for us are now offered. Bread
stands for food in general To the Israelites
God gave daily mama. This is prayer
primarily for the body. The man who is too
lazy to work ought not to use this prayer.
V. IL Debts-Our chief need is forgive
ness Of our sins. Our hearts ought to give
their supreme love to God They have failed
to do this; God, therefore, has claims upon
Us. This obligation must be discharged by
US or atonement be made by another. Our
failure is our sin, and it is here represented as
q debt
v. IS. This Is the sixth and last petition.
Lead US Motive need not simply forgive
ness for past sins, but also preservation for
the future. This word lead, or "bring,' as in